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Minutes for Indigenous Commission

 
    INDIGENOUS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING
211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE
             WEDNESDAY, APRIL 03, 2024, 12:00 P.M.


 
1.
Call to Order

Co-chair Fawn Toya called the meeting to order at 12:03 PM.
 
2.
Roll Call
NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means.
Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio; Present
Linda Curley, Ex-Officio; Present
Seat Vacant, Ex-Officio
Fawn Toya, Co-Chair; Present
Darren Lance, Co-Chair; Excused Absence
Kimberly Hoskie; Excused Absence
Lauren Kaibetoney; Present
Darrell Marks; Present
Marian Marshall; Present
Mariah Zavala; Present

Others present: Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; PROSE staff-members/presenters Amy Hagin and Rebecca Sayers; ICF member/presenter Makaius Marks; Sustainability staff-member Jenna Ortega; NACA staff-member Dorothy D. Gishie; and ICF youth member Gissell Garcia.
 
3.
Public Comment

At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard. (Maximum three minutes per individual)

None at this time.
 
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
A.
Approval of March 6, 2024 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.

Commissioner Kaibetoney made a motion to approve the Minutes as is and seconded by Commissioner Zavala. The motion passed unanimously.
 
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS
 
A.
Update on Thorpe Park and the Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC)
PROSE staff will provide further update on the ICCC and the progress made in the past 30 days. Members of the ICF will be invited.

Amy Hagin, Assist Parks and Recreation Director, provided a short update on the current progress made. The fence around the perimeter has been removed. Next steps include: Light grading activity on the asphalt; Removal of non-living shrubs & trees; IT infrastructure inside the building to be relocated that feeds other City buildings; Consultant assistance on fiber optic line and put in place correctly; Cabling for the ICCC building; Any funds left over will be used for further mitigation. Funds spent $20K and other invoices to be paid regarding water and plumbing work.

Councilmember Matthews commented on the City's budget process currently occurring. The PROSE budget for the ICCC area, $100K this fiscal and $200K next fiscal year are "baby steps" and the building would need much more. She also asked what the City will need to have completed before identifying a partner? Ms. Hagin explained that procurement discussion started the week before and these are some of the clarifications to be made on tasks before RFP is released - more meetings are coming. Currently, there are not enough funds to rehab the building. Councilmember Matthews also mentioned the conversation about a temporary tent to use. She would like not to wait 10-20 years for this project and requested to be included. Ms. Hagin explained the PROSE 10-year plan and would like to find something in between for use and hope not go the full 9-10 years on this project.
 
B.
Visitation to the Indigneous Community Cultural Center (ICCC) Area
The Indigenous Commission will be given a timeframe on when it would be more feasible to tour the Thorpe Park parcel and the ICCC historic building. There are/will be some work in or around the building so it would be best to have a recognized timeframe for visitation to occur.

After a short discussion and some information provided by PROSE Amy Hagin, the Indigenous Commission decided to have an in-person meeting at the future site of the ICCC. Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff will be invited. It is important for the new commissioners to see the space and learn more about the area. A suggestion was made to have some light snacks/food for the meeting.

Co-chair Toya called for some quick introductions as she has not met some of new commissioners.
 
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
 
A.
Flagstaff Camping Ordinance
Community youth members with Makaius Marks as lead will provide a presentation regarding the Flagstaff Camping Ordinance. The ordinance restricts camping on public property within the city limits. The presenter would like to provide information as it relates to unsheltered/unhoused individuals and requests discussion from the Commission. CATs organization will be available for the presentation.

Makaius Marks, Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff/Indigenous Youths of Flagstaff member, provided a presentation regarding the Anti-Camping Ordinance. He spoke about unsheltered relatives who come from all walks of life and to understand what they are experiencing with this ordinance. He expressed the following:
  • It vilifies and criminalizes unsheltered relatives.
  • A policy like the Anti-Camping Ordinance alienates them from their families, people, and resources.
  • From a human aspect - we have the data but not their stories. He has insight because they come to the CATs bus. Despite the hardship, there is kinship known there.
  • What is our role in this ordinance that justifies the hate, the disrespect of people?
  • What can we do as a community, so people can heal and also to shape the discussion?
  • There is a need for support to go to the City and challenge this ordinance. Knowledge that arrests are justified under this ordinance.
  • There is also a need to assist with supplies that are needed by those working with this population.
  • He also tried to work with some of the people to provide public comment at City Council meeting but unfortunately they have become disengaged due to their vulnerable situations, they also disengaged due to lack of progress from their prospective.
Councilmember Matthews also spoke on the recent progress made through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). There is tracking of arrests, length of time in custody, and zero cash bails conversations. The rate of arrests on Indigenous people has been declining. There is some progress but also not enough but trying to do more. Some information on CJCC and its activities were given by Councilmember Matthews and Staff Liaison Rose Toehe.
 
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

None at this time.
 
8.
ADJOURNMENT

Co-chair Toya adjourned the meeting at 12:55 PM.